Abstract
In groups, they will investigate the effect of a chemical (they choose) on the germination of seeds. They will calculate % chemical concentrations in water, form a hypothesis, and discuss the ethics of using animals in biomedical research.
Objectives
Students will be able to:
- Define a “toxic substance.”
- Define the “science of toxicology.”
- Differentiate between natural and manmade toxic substances.
- Develop hypotheses to address the dose response principle
- Explain toxicological principles governing the safety of a substance.
- Discuss ethics and practicality of using animals in biomedical research.
National Science Education Standard
Content Standard A – Science as Inquiry
- Identify questions and concepts that guide scientific investigations
- Formulate and revise scientific explanations and models using logic and evidence
- Communicate and defend a scientific argument
Content Standard F- Science in Personal and Social Perspectives
Personal and community health
Arizona Science Education Standards:
Concept 1: Observations, Questions, and Hypotheses
- PO 2. Develop questions from observations that transition into testable hypotheses.
- PO 3. Formulate a testable hypothesis.
Concept 2: Scientific Testing (Investigating and Modeling)
- PO 1. Demonstrate safe and ethical procedures (e.g., use and care of technology, materials, organisms) and behavior in all science inquiry.
- PO 5. Record observations, notes, sketches, questions, and ideas using tools such as journals, charts, graphs, and computers.
Concept 3: Analysis, Conclusions, and Refinements
- PO 2. Evaluate whether investigational data support or do not support the proposed hypothesis.
Concept 4: Communication
- PO 2. Produce graphs that communicate data. (See MHS-S2C1-02)
- PO 3. Communicate results clearly and logically.
- PO 4. Support conclusions with logical scientific arguments.
Teacher Background
Hardly a week goes by without hearing that a chemical may potentially threaten our health—pesticides in the food we eat, pollutants in the air we breathe, chemicals in the water we drink, toxic dump sites near our homes. Chemicals make up everything around us. Which chemicals are really dangerous? How much does it take to cause harm? What are the effects of a particular chemical? Cancer? Nervous system damage? Birth defects? Finding scientifically sound answers to these very important questions is what toxicologists do, using the most modern molecular, genetic, and analytical techniques available. Toxicology combines the elements of many scientific disciplines to help us understand the harmful effects of chemicals on living organisms. [TAKEN FROM WIKIPEDIA.]
Related and Resource Websites
Questions People Ask About Animals in Research http://www.the-aps.org/pa/animals/index.htm
Environmental Health Resources section on Basic Toxicology of PULSE. http://pulse.pharmacy.arizona.edu/resources/toxicology/teachers.htm
See also the background section for the ‘The Science Behind Our Food” unit http://apps.caes.uga.edu/sbof/main/lessonPlan/IntroToToxicology.pdf
Dose-Response Relationships In Toxicology http://pmep.cce.cornell.edu/profiles/extoxnet/TIB/dose-response.html, an in-depth overview of dose-response
Green Facts Glossary http://www.greenfacts.org/glossary/def/dose-response-relationship-dose-response.htm, an overview of dose-response for certain chemicals and links to other toxicology terms
Health and the Environment: Food, Farming, & Pesticides http://www.nrdc.org/health/pesticides/default.asp
Questions People Ask About Animals in Research http://www.the-aps.org/pa/animals/index.htm
Write a hypothesis http://www.k12science.org/curriculum/dipproj2/en/lesson1.shtml
|
|
